Parry Sounds ~ Ideas and Opinions, In and Around Parry Sound

There are a couple of surprises in this week’s council meeting agenda. And of course, the water rate proposal ignores comments from members of the public because that would create too much extra work.

9.2.1 – Provincial State of Emergency – Bobby Orr Community Centre Ice Out.
Town Staff is suggesting that the ice surface be removed from the Bobby Orr Community Centre as a cost saving measure with the current restrictions prohibiting public use and the concern that the restrictions will continue through end of the usual season. The rink costs $3,250 per week in energy costs. This does not include staffing expenses, maintenance of the building, and capital costs. Some Staff might then be deployed to other Town activities.

10.1.2 – Water and Wastewater Rates.
I have already shared my comments in an earlier post. I will note that Mr. George Ashford provided a well-reasoned letter to the Town in response to the proposal. I know that he ran for Council at the last election and was not elected. I think he deserves your vote if he chooses to run again at the next election. He made the effort and took the time to comment. There is at least one not so pretty face on Council who seems to be asleep and perhaps should be given every second Tuesday evening off to catch a few winks.

10.4.1 – Donations to the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation and Lakeland Long Term Care from the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Reserve Fund.
This concerns a $100,000 donation to these two facilities from a reserve fund that was formed in 2007. I think this is a very generous donation that was requested by Mr. Orr. As I wrote in an earlier post, I do not think that his earlier support for the current Republican administration should be held against him anymore than one’s religion or ethnicity should be held against them for the actions of some extremists.

Spelling Lesson:
The device that measures your water and electrical consumption is a meter, not a metre. A metre is a unit of measurement, which the Yankees spell meter.

Closed Session
d) labour relations or employee negotiations; (Collective Agreement Union Negotiations; and Employee impacts resulting from Provincial Declared Emergency Lock-Down);
k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board, (Collective Agreement Union Negotiations).

 Presentations
1. 2020 Order of Parry Sound
2. 2020 Year in Review
3. Coping with COVID

Correspondence
4.1 – Wayne Major
Concern regarding wait time & crowding at Town boat launches.

4.2 – Susan Heder
Appreciation for Rugged Trail.

4.3 – Lynne Atkinson
Request for Proclamation of Feb 6, 2020 as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.2.1 – Provincial State of Emergency – Bobby Orr Community Centre Ice Out.
Resolution
That Council approve the closure of the ice surface at the Bobby Orr Community Centre in response to the Provincial Emergency Order/Closure of non-essential services.

9.2.2 – Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Covid Stream – Local Government.
Resolution
That Council receive the report Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID Stream – Local Government for information purposes.

9.3.1 – Declaration of Second Provincial Emergency.
Resolution
That Council receive the report Declaration of Second Provincial Emergency for information purposes.

9.4.1 – Rural Economic Development Grant.
Resolution
Be it resolved that the Town of Parry Sound supports the DBA’s request to submit a grant application under the Rural Economic Development (RED) program; and
That the Town of Parry Sound provide 50% match funding up to $25,450.

9.5.1 Proclamation of Zero Tolerance for FGM.
Resolution
Whereas International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed around the world and provides an opportunity to honor those women, girls, boys and men who are actively and courageously working towards an end to this harmful practice.
Whereas this day invites us to reflect on the fact that 4.1 million girls are still at risk of mutilation each year, including girls in Canada.
Whereas on this day, we acknowledge that female genital mutilation is an issue in more than 90 countries and on every continent except Antarctica, and that there are at least 200 million FGM survivors in the world, including more than 100,000 in Canada.
Whereas we acknowledge that FGM has no basis in any religious text and is recognized by the United Nations and other world bodies as child abuse and an abuse of a girl’s fundamental human rights.
Whereas we acknowledge that FGM has no benefits and causes only harm, including death, difficulties with urination, menstruation, sexual intimacy, post-traumatic stress disorder and increased maternal and child mortality.
Whereas on this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we acknowledge and celebrate all national and international efforts being made, especially at the grass roots level, to achieve United Nations Sustainable Millennium Development Goal #5, which calls for the elimination of FGM and other harmful traditional practices by 2030.
Whereas on this Day of Zero Tolerance, we call for increased, concerted global and Canadian action to end female genital mutilation, and ask all governments-international, national, and local- to fully uphold the human rights of women and girls so they can live a life free from the violence that is female genital mutilation.
NOW THEREFORE, Council of the Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound does hereby proclaim February 6, 2021, as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in the Town of Parry Sound.

By-laws
10.1.1 – Temporary Borrowing Authorization.
By-law 2021 – 7096
Being a by-law to authorize temporary borrowing to meet the current expenditures of the Town of Parry Sound until taxes are collected and other revenues are received.

10.1.2 – Water and Wastewater Rates.
By-law 2021 – 7097
Being a By-law to establish water and wastewater rates in the Town of Parry Sound, starting with the consumption month of March 2021.
Resolution
That the Town of Parry Sound’s Ontario Regulation 453/07 Water Financial Plan prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. dated January 15, 2021 be approved; and
That notice of availability of the Financial Plan be advertised; and
That the Financial Plan dated January 15, 2021 be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (O.Reg. 453/07, section 3 (1) 6); and further
That the resolution of Council approving the Financial Plan be submitted to the MECP, satisfying the requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act. (S.D.W.A. section 32 (5) 2.ii.).

10.3.1 – Agreements for the use of public property for Georgian Bay Airways/Tailwinds.
By-law 2021 – 7098
Being a By-law to authorize the execution of agreements with Georgian Bay Airways for the lease of a water lot; and maintenance of a Town parking lot.

10.4.1 – Donations to the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation and Lakeland Long Term Care from the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Reserve Fund.
By-law 2021 – 7099
Being a By-law to Authorize Donations from the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Reserve Fund, transfer the balance, and close the Fund.